Ubon Ratchathani buyer pays 10 million baht for star fighting cock “F16”

BURIRAM — 1 November 2026, A prominent gamecock breeder has made headlines after selling 200 baht-weight of gold to raise 10 million baht to purchase F16, a champion fighting cock regarded as one of the country’s top contenders.

Thanaphum Chueawanich, known as “Hia Kham,” owner of the Waree Thep gamecock farm in Ubon Ratchathani, arrived with his team in Buriram to purchase F16 from Rakchat Rattanawichai, known as “Hia Kop,” owner of the Kor Phet Burapha farm in Lam Plai Mat district.

The deal attracted considerable attention from cockfighting enthusiasts, many of whom gathered to witness the transaction.

Thanaphum said he took just three minutes to decide to buy F16, citing his confidence in the bird’s bloodline and track record. With gold prices beginning to fall, he decided to sell his gold holdings, weighing a total of 200 baht-weight (3.0488 kilograms), to finance the purchase.

He described the acquisition as an investment with the potential to generate greater value and income in the future, although the eventual returns would depend on the bird’s development and performance.

Rakchat said F16 is the offspring of Chao Year Thawisap, nicknamed “The Four-Eyed God,” a prominent breeding cock at his farm. The sire had won three million-baht championship bouts within one month and 25 days, while several of his offspring had also gone on to become champions.

F16, now 20 months old and weighing 2.75 kilogrammes, has competed in 10 fights, including four with stakes worth millions of baht.

In its most recent appearance, F16 won a 26.2-million-baht championship bout against Chao Tao from the Chor Chok Charoen 98 farm, defeating its opponent early in the fifth round.

F16’s key strengths include its speed, accuracy and powerful, deep strikes. Combined with its highly regarded bloodline, these qualities have made the bird a valuable prospect and attracted interest from breeders before its transfer to the Waree Thep farm for B10 million.

Rakchat also outlined his approach to gamecock breeding, saying the business requires honesty, sincerity and dedication to improving bloodlines.

He said he wanted farmers and breeders to have access to quality bloodlines at fair prices so they could improve their stock and increase its value, turning birds initially worth hundreds of baht into those worth millions.

The B10-million transaction has not only drawn attention because of its high price but also because of Hia Kham’s decision to invest in a celebrated gamecock, with hopes of developing its potential and generating returns in the future.